DaytonDailyNews.com

Staff Report

OXFORD —Joining Miami University's athletics staff as an assistant athletics director for communications and technology/athletic media relations director is Mike Pearson, Miami University Athletics Director Brad Bates announced.

"Once again we are reminded of the allure of Miami University when we are fortunate to attract a highly talented individual with the experience, intellect, initiatives and connections of Mike Pearson," said Bates. "We are very excited to have Mike here to inspire and create, 'touch' and speak, coordinate and motivate our students, staff, alumni, fans and extended community through his actions, words and leadership."

Pearson comes to Miami after an 11-year stint as Sports Publishing's Vice President of Acquisitions and Development. No stranger to athletic public relations, Pearson spent more than two decades with NCAA Division I institutions in various capacities. From 1989-96, Pearson served as the sports information director at the University of Illinois. During his tenure, Pearson and his staff successfully promoted Illini football players Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy to back-to-back Butkus Awards. Through nearly 110 years of Illinois football history, those are the only two national awards given to Illini athletes.

Prior to his position at Illinois, Pearson spent 10 years serving his alma mater, Michigan State University, as assistant sports information director from 1980-87 and then as assistant director of public relations for broadcast marketing until 1989. As an assistant SID, Pearson helped the Spartans become the first university in collegiate athletics to boast first-team All-Americans in the same season in the sports of football, men's basketball and ice hockey. During his time with broadcast marketing, Pearson directed a five-person staff in promoting MSU through the mediums of video, radio and photography.

This is Pearson's second stint at a Mid-American Conference institution, having spent one year (1979-80) at Western Michigan University as the Broncos' athletic promotions director, primarily promoting ticket sales for football, men's basketball and ice hockey.

Following three-and-a-half years as a student assistant at Michigan State, Pearson garnered his first full-time position in athletic public relations as an assistant sports information director at Illinois from 1975-79.

"I have known Mike Pearson for more than 25 years," said former Miami University Sports Information Director Dave Young. "He was trained by the pioneers in the college sports information field in Fred Stabley, Sr., and Nick Vista at Michigan State University. His experiences at his alma mater, Western Michigan, Illinois and the publishing business have added to his expertise. Mike is a friendly person that always has a welcome smile and handshake and a willingness to listen."

Additionally, Pearson developed a Michigan State trivia game in 1984 during the height of the Trivial Pursuit craze called "Spartan Trivia," which sold nearly 10,000 copies over a 12-month period. In 1995, Pearson published his first book entitled "Illini Legends, Lists and Lore," which sold more than 12,000 copies in its first release and another 8,000 copies when the second edition was released in 2001. Pearson also co-authored a book with Bruce Madej and Ron Toonkel about University of Michigan athletics history entitled "Michigan: Champions of the West". Approximately 15,000 copies of the book were sold.

THE PEARSON FILE:

Sports Publishing Vice President of Acquisitions and Development (1996-07)

University of Illinois Sports Information Director (1989-96)

Michigan State University Assistant Director of Public Relations for Broadcast Marketing (1987-89)

Michigan State University Assistant Sports Information Director (1980-87)

Western Michigan University Athletic Promotions Director (1979-80)

University of Illinois Assistant Sports Information Director (1975-79)

Graduated from Michigan State University (1975)

Michigan State University Student Assistant (1971-75)

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT PEARSON:

Brad Bates, Miami University Director of Athletics

"Once again we are reminded of the allure of Miami University when we are fortunate to attract a highly talented individual with the experience, intellect, initiatives and connections of Mike Pearson," said Bates. "We are very excited to have Mike here to inspire and create, 'touch' and speak, coordinate and motivate our students, staff, alumni, fans and extended community through his actions, words and leadership."

Dave Young, Former Miami University Sports Information Director

"I have known Mike Pearson for more than 25 years. He was trained by the pioneers in the college sports information field in Fred Stabley, Sr., and Nick Vista at Michigan State University. His experiences at his alma mater, Western Michigan, Illinois and the publishing business have added to his expertise. Mike is a friendly person that always has a welcome smile and handshake and a willingness to listen."

Tom Izzo, Michigan State University Head Men's Basketball Coach

"Mike Pearson is one of the best I ever worked with at Michigan State. His expertise and relationships with the coaches, media and fans is second to none. He will be a great asset to an already strong academic and athletic institution and I wish him the very best."

Ron Guenther, University of Illinois Director of Athletics

"Mike is extremely qualified and is one of the best in the business. Miami University is fortunate to have an individual as qualified as Mike joining their staff."

Bruce Madej, University of Michigan Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations

"Mike has been around for a long time. Even though he has that 'old time' experience, his understanding of the changing media and technological landscape make him a perfect fit for Miami."